Releases

Artists

Merje Kägu  guitarist/composer
Anders Jormin  double bass
Jesse Ojajärvi  drums
Åsa B. Johansson  violin, voice
Leonor Palazzo  cello
Marina Cyrino  flute
Blanca Sans Ballart  oboe, English horn

CD info

Release No: LOS 207-2
EAN: 7090025832079

All music composed and arranged by Merje Kägu
Recorded August 2017 by Johannes Lundberg at Studio Epidemin, Gothenburg, Sweden
Mixed and mastered by Johannes Lundberg
Produced by Merje Kägu
Co-produced by Johannes Lundberg
Front cover photo by Rene Jakobson
This recording is supported by The Cultural Endowment of Estonia

This music is an intimate journey. It is a reflection of experiences and dialogues with myself and others. It is about losing and finding oneself, about growth and awakening, as well as longing and silence. When Silence Falls embraces the understated beauty of being perfectly imperfect. It is an humble portrait of humanness, in which fragility and strength become one. It is about the rise from falling. The movement of honesty.

With combinations of jazz, classical and minimalist elements I aimed to create a world of melodic colours as well as allow space for an intimate storytelling voice to speak. There’s an atmospheric drift to the music which subtly contrasts and combines the soulful interpretations and improvisations. I like to create and play music that bridges the gap between composed and improvised music, smoothly transitioning from one to the other. This fluid style creates a personal and intimate connection with other musicians. A reflective approach is central to my artistry.

When Silence Falls is the guitarist Merje Kägu’s first solo album as a composer and ensemble leader. The group, which was formed in 2016, in Gothenburg, not only brings together musicians from around the world, but also from different musical backgrounds – classical, world and improvisational music.

For Merje, the ensemble consists of musicians that have truly inspired her with their deep appreciation and dedication to music, as well as their humbleness and understanding of its delicacy and sophistication. Each composition on When Silence Falls is laced with the gentle touches of each musician and brought to life by their shared experiences.

Åsa B. Johansson is a multi-musician and singer from Gothenburg, Sweden, who likes to combine different music genres and styles while singing, playing her violin, accordion, piano or saxophone. She likes to be in environments where world, folk, classical and jazz music crossover. Åsa is often requested as a soloist, but is also very fond of creating music with smaller groups and ensembles.

She is a member of several ensembles, such as Göteborgs Alternativa Orkester, Slabang and duo Åsa and Johan, and artistic director of Stråf Vocal Strings and Amanda Choir. She is also very experienced in choir conducting and singing.

Leonor Palazzo, a Belgo-Argentinian cellist, was awarded a Masters Degree at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in 2009. To broaden her musical horizons she studied in the Department of World Music at the Academy of Music and Drama of Gothenburg. Now living in Sweden, she is a competent and respected player of traditional Swedish music, playing together with major musicians in several different groups, including a duo with a Swedish National Fiddler Ellinor Fritz, « Ellinor & Leonor ». Working as a freelance musician since 2010, she regularly takes part in a wide variety of musical projects including Ensemble Bradamante (Baroque music), WoodsFolk (Folk rock), Anna Heikkinen & Längtans Kapell (Finnish tango), Göteborgs Alternativa Orkester (World music), Alla tiders ensemble (Musical theatre), Merje Kägu Ensemble (Classical/Jazz), Stars of the Lid (Ambient) and performed together with New Tide Orquesta (Minimalism/Tango nuevo) and Tokso Folk String Quartet (Folk). Leonor has toured in many countries throughout Europe, USA and Korea and promotes cello through workshops. She has released two CDs: «Nordic Folk Music» with Septentrio for ARC Music, London and «Mormors trädgård» with Ellinor & Leonor.

Jesse Ojajärvi is a Helsinki based drummer, involved mostly with jazz and improvised music. He’s an active member of bands such as Harri Kuusijärvi Koutus, Hyväluoma Group and the Selma Savolainen Quartet.

Anders Jormin is an internationally acclaimed double bassist and composer from Gothenburg, Sweden. He has been an ECM recording artist for many years and has received numerous prestigious awards and prizes for his unique artistry and expressive music. He was the first ever contemporary improviser to be elected into the Royal Academy of Music in Sweden. As a composer, he has written a comprehensive repertoire of music for choirs, chamber orchestras and smaller ensembles. His first symphony was premiered in November 2015.

Anders Jormin is professor of Improvisation at the Academy of Music and Drama at Gothenburg University, where he has participated in building a leading department for improvisation and world music. He is a honorary doctor at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland as well as at the Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, Estonia.

Blanca Sans Ballart started her musical studies in her hometown of Tarragona in Spain, before going on to study at the Academy of Music and Drama at Gothenburg University. Today, she works as a classical musician, playing in orchestras throughout Europe. She has always been curious to try new styles and formations. That is why this project has been such a growing experience for her, both professionally and personally.

Marina Cyrino has studied music in both Sweden as well as her homeland of Brazil. Currently a doctoral student in Musical Performance and Interpretation at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg. Her main interest is to explore and transform flute playing through a multimodal approach, flowing seamlessly between interpretation, composition and improvisation.

Merje Kägu is a guitarist and composer, residing in Gothenburg, Sweden. She studied jazz guitar at the Estonian Academy of Music and graduated the master program in improvisation at the Gothenburg Academy of Music and Drama. She has appeared with her original music and collaborated with inspiring musicians in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Scotland, etc. «Playing music is something that attracts my attention and curiosity. I like to create and play music that bridges the gap between composed and improvised music,  smoothly transitioning from one to the other. This fluid style creates a personal and intimate connection with other musicians. A reflective approach is central to my artistry. Where words fail, music speaks.”